Brasilia-SANA
Brazil is holding presidential elections today, Sunday, whose importance extends beyond the competition between current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his rival Flavio Bolsonaro, encompassing the future of the country's economic and social policies, its international relations, and its positions on Arab issues.
In this context, with the results in the first round being close, with Bolsonaro receiving about 47 percent of the votes compared to 45 percent for Lula, attention is turning to the polling stations to settle the presidential race and determine Brazil's path in the coming stage.
Sovereignty in the face of American pressure
The relationship with the United States emerged as one of the axes of electoral competition, amid a clear political convergence between Flavio Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump, against Lula's insistence on the importance of Brazil's independent decision-making and rejection of external interference in voters' choices.
For his part, Reuters agency published an investigation based on statements from current and former US officials, which discussed moves by officials in the US State Department to support the return of the Bolsonaro family to power, coinciding with Washington imposing sanctions on Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes.
It added that the US administration justified its measures by defending US interests and combating drugs, while the measures sparked a dispute with Brasilia and concerns about their impact on trade relations.
Political legacy and divergent economic programs
Flavio Bolsonaro represents a political extension of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who still enjoys a conservative electoral base, despite his conviction to 27 years in prison in connection with the coup attempt after losing the 2022 elections.
It was pointed out that Flavio relies on a discourse focusing on toughness in combating crime and reducing government spending, as he pledged to seek his father's release and remove Judge de Moraes, in moves that signal continued tension regarding the independence of judicial institutions.
In contrast, Lula is running for election relying on his legacy in social protection and poverty alleviation programs, and his program proposes expanding social protection and providing measures to ease the burden of fuel and debts, along with reducing the work week from 44 hours to 40 hours.
The Palestinian issue and BRICS balances
The potential return of the Bolsonaro family to power raises questions about the future of Brazil's position on the Palestinian issue, given the orientations of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who sought to strengthen relations with Israel and pledged to move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem.
Despite not implementing the decision to move the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Brazil opened a commercial office in Jerusalem in December 2019, during the tenure of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in a move considered a precursor to moving the embassy.
For his part, Lula adopted positions supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and he criticized Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, calling for a ceasefire, delivering aid, and respecting international law.
BRICS, China, and Russia
The divergence between candidates extends to Brazil's position in the international system, as Lula worked to enhance the role of the BRICS group as a framework for expanding cooperation among the economies of the Global South and pushing for reform of international governance institutions.
China stands out in this context as Brazil's largest trading partner, making relations with it linked to economic interests that are difficult to separate from political calculations.
As for Russia, relations with it fall within Brazil's broader policy of maintaining dialogue channels and multiple international partnerships, while Lula defended diplomatic solutions in dealing with international conflicts.
These files reflect that the elections will not only settle Brazil's economic and social orientation, but will also determine how it balances its relationship with the United States and its partnerships with China and Russia and its role in BRICS.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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